The government is introducing additional tax measures as a result of the corona crisis. By letter dated April 24, 2020 sent to the Lower House of Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Finance announced six measures, including the possibility to form a corona tax reserve that can be set off against the profit for the year 2019.
By letter dated April 22, 2020 the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment announced an important expansion of the group approach in the NOW. We discuss this expansion briefly. We also discuss the announced easing of the unemployment insurance contributions differentiation and the imposition of penalties in respect of highly skilled migrants.
By letter dated April 14, 2020 sent to the Lower House of Parliament, the Deputy Minister of Finance released a policy statement that further elaborates on the emergency tax measures by means of the granting of several specific approvals.
The Committee was asked to advise on measures to make the taxation of the profits of multinationals fairer, while at the same time ensuring that the Netherlands remains attractive for Dutch head offices.
Besides VAT, personal income tax, payroll tax and corporate income tax, the temporary deferral policy now applies to tax on games of chance, insurance premium tax, the landlord levy (verhuurderheffing), environmental taxes (energy tax/surcharge for sustainable energy (Opslag Duurzame Energie; ODE), coal tax, waste tax, tax on tap water), customs duties, excise duties (mineral oils, alcohol and tobacco), consumption tax on non-alcoholic drinks and similar taxes in the Dutch Caribbean.
The scheme provides for compensation for payroll costs if an employer expects and ultimately experiences a decline in turnover of 20% or more as a result of the corona crisis. Compensation will be granted in relation to the decline in turnover and will amount to 90% of the eligible payroll costs.
On December 20, 2019 the Austrian Bundesfinanzgericht asked the Court of Justice of the European Union for a preliminary ruling on the concept of a ‘fixed establishment’ in the Titanium Ltd case (C-931/19). The case is not only relevant for property letting companies, but potentially also for all VAT taxable persons with foreign activities, as it may provide a more detailed interpretation of the EU concept of fixed establishment.
On March 27, 2020 the Court of Appeals Den Bosch rendered an interesting judgment about the recovery of VAT in a case concerning a financial institution. The Court ruled that the bank’s ‘actual use method’ had been sufficiently substantiated.
The Dutch Customs Authorities announced a package of measures to support companies that are affected by the corona crisis. These measures are intended to support those that are temporarily facing difficulties in meeting their payment obligations under the applicable customs & excise regulations and that may fail to comply with the respective deadlines and formalities set under these regulations.